MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – Wesleyan University swimming & diving head coach Peter Solomon announced a new team member, signing 14-year-old Jayden Szkirka through Team IMPACT.
 
Jayden, who has Osteosarcoma, was officially introduced at a signing day press conference on Friday, November 4^th at the Freeman Athletic Center on campus. He will participate in many activities with the team including meets, practices, and other team events.
 
Team IMPACT, a national non-profit organization, has developed a unique multiyear program that matches children facing serious illness and disability with college athletic teams across the country. Based on a clinical model, Team IMPACT guides a symbiotic relationship between teams and children focused on socialization, empowerment, and resilience.
 
"Team IMPACT is excited to see Jayden officially join the Cardinals," said Danielle Hardee, Regional Director of Programs, Northeast at Team IMPACT. "We are proud to work alongside Wesleyan, their athletic department, and coaching staff to create lifelong bonds and life-changing outcomes between student-athletes and their Team IMPACT teammates."
 
Wesleyan University has worked with Team IMPACT for the past 10 years, matching 15 children across its softball, men's wrestling, men's and women's soccer, football, swimming and diving, and men's lacrosse teams. 
 
"The team and I couldn't be more excited about Jayden joining our team," said Solomon. "He has already made a huge impact on our program and helps to keep things in perspective for the swimmers, divers, and us coaches.  Anytime we feel that we are having a challenging day, we don't have to look too far to be reminded just how fortunate most of us in life.  Jayden was dealt some unlucky cards with this Osteosarcoma, but he continues to fight back and show us all what it means to be persistent and determined.  We hope that we can provide not only support for Jayden and his family in the more challenging moments, but we also look forward to fostering this amazing friendship so that he continues to have fun stuff to look forward to, and he and his family know that his 75 new Cardinal teammates have his back."
 
About Team IMPACT
Team IMPACT's unique multiyear program signs children facing serious illness and disability onto college athletic teams across the country. Based on a clinical model, Team IMPACT guides a symbiotic relationship between teams and children focused on socialization, empowerment, and resilience, ensuring everyone involved has the personalized game plan they need to win – effectively building confidence and independence. Founded in 2011, Team IMPACT has matched more than 2,300 children with 700+ colleges and universities in 49 states, impacting more than 60,000 student-athletes. If you know a child or team who may be interested, please visit www.teamimpact.org.